Vending machine



Dec. 24, 1963 P. F. BURTON r-:TAL 3,115,274

VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. '7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 s .Cu

y l l INVENTORS Paul E' urm Pagg E [76 Ze 5MM/Z ATTORNEYS ai. .nf /l Dec. 24, 1963 Filed Feb. '7, 1962 F. BURTON ETAL 3,115,274

VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 24, 1963 P. F. BuRToN ETAI.

VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1962 INVENTORS Fie Z6 Dec. 24, 1963 P. F. BURTON ETAL 3,115,274

VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1962 -5 Sheeizs-SheeiI 4 INV EN TORS -F fum I Paal' E arzz/ Paul if FZ@ Ze BY u United States Patent O 3,115,274 VENDING MACHINE Paul F. Burton and Paul F. Fleagle, Charles Town, W. Va., assignors to Dixie-Narco, Inc., Ranson, W. Va., a corporation vof West Virginia Filed Feb. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 171,722 11 Claims. (Cl. 221-125) This invention relates to vending machines and particularly to machines for vending bottled or otherwise packaged soft drinks wherein the customer may exercise a choice or selection as to which particular accessible bottle will be withdrawn.

In general, the machine comprises a cabinet having an elongated opening through which a plurality of different flavors or otherwise differentiated packaged drinks are available. For convenience, the packages will be referred to hereafter as bottles. Gate means prevent the withdrawal of any of the bottles until proper coinage is -deposited in the machine at which time all of the gates are released for opening movement to permit withdrawal of any selected bottle. The act of withdrawing one bottle results in locking all of the other gates against opening movement until the selected bottle has been completely withdrawn and the gate returned to closed position, after which it is necessary to deposit more coins before the gates will again be released.

The novel features of the invention reside particularly in the interlocking mechanism whereby to prevent the unauthorized withdrawal of any bottle and consists in a novel arrangement of locking blocks, each being spring urged independently of the others against a stop provided for that particular block, and in the provision of an over all locking bar for locking all gates in closed position and a release mechanism, including a toggle linkage for holding the locking bar in locked position and a solenoid for releasing the locking bar. In addition, the machine comprises a reset member which is actuated by opening of any one gate to deenergize the solenoid and return the apparatus to a fully locked condition by the time the selected gate is returned to closed position. The invention further includes a modification wherein the reset member described above functions also as the locking bar, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

VIt is, therefore, a general object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism Ifor controlling release of a plurality of articles whereby only one article can be withdrawn before the machine is reconditioned by deposit of coins or by other means to release a further object.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide such a vending machine, including a novel and simple arrangement of locking blocks between adjacent articleholding gate members.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type set forth having a novel locking bar therein.

Still another object is to provide a machine of the type set forth wherein novel means are provided for resetting the mechanism to a locked condition upon return of an opened gate to closed condition.

A further object is to provide a form of the invention wherein a locking bar and reset member are combined in the same structural element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine of the type set forth that is relatively simple in construction, economical to produce and yet efcient and reliable in operation.

Additional and further objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the descrip- -tion proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine em- F 3,115,274 Patented Dec. 24, 1963 ICC lbodying the present invention and with portions of the cabinet broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the mechanism shown in locked condition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the mechanism in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line `6 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal vertical view taken on the line -8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the dispensing mechanism as seen along the line 9 9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. l0 is an enlarged and fragmentary vertical section along the -line lillll of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. l2 is a diagrammatic view showing an electric .circuit employed in the embodiment of FIGS. l through 1l;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side View of a portion of the locking mechanism of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13, and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

The vending machine illustrated herein as exemplary of the invention preferably comprises a suitable cabinet 2 provided with a plurality of inclined chutes or racks 4, upon each of which a row of bottles 6 is supported so that the bottles tend to 4gravitate toward the lower o1' dispensing ends of the chutes. The cabinet is conventionally provided with suitable refrigerating means (not shown) and a coin slot i8, through which the required coins are placed by a purchaser.

At the lowermost end of each of the chutes 4, the cabinet is provided with platform means lfor receiving and holding the end bottle from each chute in a dispensing position where it is aligned -with an opening in the front of the cabinet 2 whereby the neck of the bottle is accessible to a purchaser. The platform or supporting means at the lower end of each chute 4 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5, 9 and 11. The platform onto which the bottles roll from each of the chutes comprises a right-angular plate `1t) having a iloor portion aligned -with the chute and an upstanding or stop portion, and transverse brackets 12 and 14 at its rearmost and foremost ends respectively. The brackets l12 and 14 are each provided at one end with a rearwardly turned flange or hook 16 engageable against only one of a plurality of stepped shoulders 18 (see FIG. `9) formed in frame members 20 and 22.

The other end of each bracket is provided with an opening which may be aligned with any one of a plurality of openings 24 in the frame members, 26, depending upon which shoulder 18 the flange 16 engages. Upon selecting a particular step 18 for the hook end 16, the other end of each bracket will be aligned with a corresponding opening 24 and an elongated pin 28 is extended through all of the aligned openings to hold the support or platform in the desired position. By this means each platform may be adjusted vertically to accommodate the machine for bottles of different sizes.

On frame member 26 a series of brackets 30 are mounted and provided with openings aligned with corresponding openings in the web portion of frame member 20 previously referred to when a pivoted gate 32 is journaled forwardly of each of the platforms 10. Each gate 32 includes a depending portion 34 which normally extends downward-ly from the pivotal axis of the gate to a position forwardly of the enlarged portion of a conventional bottle and downwardly just far enough to clear the neck on the bottle of the platform 10. Thus, when the gates 32 are in their closed or depending positions withdrawal of a bottle from any platform is prevented. At its end adjacent the bracket 30 each gate 32 is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 36 pivoted at its end to a metering bar 38, which extends rearwardly of the machine between each platform 1t] and its associated chute 4. A coil spring 39 around pivot pin 41 reacts against arm 36 and bar 38 to urge the gate to closed position. The rearmost end of each bar 38 extends upwardly and rearwardly (see FIG. 10) and is provided with a slot 40 slidably embracing a fixed and headed pin 42 mounted on the frame member 22. A tension spring 44 engages the end of each bar 38 to urge the same upwardly and rearwardly as shown in FlG. 10. When a bottle is withdrawn forwardly from any one of the platforms 10, it will cause the associated gate 32 to swing upwardly and forwardly to the position shown by the middle gate of FIG. 10. This swinging movement causes arm 36 to move downwardly and forwardly pulling bar 38 downwardly and forwardly also to a position where it blocks movement of a bottle from the chute 4 to the platform 10. Thus, when a bottle is withdrawn from any platform, another bottle will not take its place until the gate thus opened is again returned to closed position whereupon the arm 36 and springs 39 and 44 cause the bar 33 to return to its rearmost and uppermost position, thus releasing another bottle from the associated chute 4 to the platform 10.

As shown, particularly in FIG. 9, each vof the gates 32 is provided with a roller 46 at its lowermost edge to reduce frictional interference between the gate `and a bottle being withdrawn.

The lowermost portion of each gate member 34 is provided with a pin 50 extending through the web of frame member 2t), through an arcuate slot 52 therein. Pivotally mounted on each pin 50, on the opposite side of frame member 20, from the gate itself, is a rearwardly extending link 54 (see FIG. 6), having a horizontal pin 56 at its rear end and which pin extends slidably through a horizontal slot 58 in the web of frame member 2t). The pin 56 is provided with roller or anti-friction means 60 which makes actual contact with the edges of slot 58 and a similar roller or anti-friction sleeve 61 is provided on an end of pin S6, extending from the opposite side of link 54 and away from the web of frame member 2G (see FIG. 5). Each of the gates 32 is provided with such a link S4 as just Vdescribed and it will be apparent that opening or forward-swinging movement of any gate will cause its associated pin 56 to slide forwardly in its guide slot 58'.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the web portion of frame member 21%* is formed with stuck-out ears 62, there being a pair of such ears between each two adjacent slots 5-8. Each pair of ears 62 slidab'ly guide a kmovable lock block 64 for vertical sliding movement therebetween. Between each pair of ears 62, the frame member is further stuck outwardly to define an ear or stop abutment 66 (FIG. 7) against which one end of a compression spring 63 bears. The spring 68` and stop y66 are accommodated in an elongated slot or recess 70 in the lock block 64 and the spring bears against one end of that recess while the other end of that recess engages the stop 66 to limit upward movement of the block 64. The blocks `64 are each so dimensioned and proportioned that their upper and lower ends are respectively in abutment with an identical lock block above and below the one in question when all of said lock blocks engage their respective stops 66. Each end of each block 64 is rabbeted or cut away, as at 67 and 69 to provide clearance for the links 5'4. A t its upper end each block 64 is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly extending cam surface 72 extending obliquely across an adjacent slot 58 and, therefore, across the path of movement of a pin 56 `and its roller 61. The lowermost end of each block 64 is substantially flat and horizontal and provided with a slightly inclined rear edge portion 74. It will be apparent that opening movement of any one gate 32 will produce forward movement of an associated pin 56 whereupon that pin and its roller 61 are urged against the cam surface 72 of a lock block 64. Continued forward movement forces that lock block downwardly and likewise forces all Ilock blocks therebelow in a downward direction against the `action of their springs 68. This downward movement of all of the lock blocks below the one first mentioned projects their lowermost ends into the path of movement of all of the pins `56 below the one being operated and thereby locks all of those pins against forward movement. At the same time the pin 56 and roller 61 operated by the selected gate enter under and bear against the lowermost flat surface of the block 64 thereabove. As Ilong as the pin 56 is in its forward position, all lock blocks 64 thereabove are thus positively locked against movement and none of the gates thereabove can, therefore, be opened. Thus, opening movement of any one gate locks `all other gates against opening until that one gate is again returned to closed position as shown in FIG. 6r.

Preferably, each lock block 64 is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinal ribs *73 on its opposite faces, which ribs slidably bear `against the inner face of a locking member Sil and against frame member 20. The Ilocking member Si? also serves to hold the lock blocks 64 in their operative position and the ribs 78 insure that a minimum of frictional resistance to movement of the blocks is present.

By referring to FIGS. 2, 3, -and `5 it will be seen that the locking member 8f) comprises `an upwardly extending generally channel-shaped member supported for vertical sliding movement on the frame member 20 by pins 82 extending through slots 84 in the locking member 80. The web of the channel shaped locking member 30 is provided with a plurality of generally L-shaped openings 86, directly opposite the adjacent pins .56 and rollers 61, which extend outwardly from the links `54 and blocks 64, as previously described. The L-shape of the openings 86 is so oriented that 'the rollers 61 normally bear against the lowermost surface of the rear portion of each opening and `are locked against forward movement between the locking blocks 64, previously described, by the shoulders S8 defined by edge po-rtions of openings 86. The lshoulders 38 block forward movement of rol-1ers 61 Aas long as the locking member is in its uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 2. A toggle linkage comprising la pair of links 9? and 92 serves tot lock the bar Sti in its uppermost position. The link 90 ris pivoted at its upper end to the lowermost end of the lock bar 80, `at 91, and is pivoted at its lower end to the link 92 and to a block member 94, at 93. The lower end of link 92 is pivotally mounted on the `frame member 2t)y at 95. A finger 96 extends forwardly from block 94 and is slidabrly guided by a bracket 98. The outer end of finger 9'6 is provided with a head 100, which bears against one end of a compression spring 162, the other end of which bears against the bracket 98. The briacket 98 Ialso serves as a stop engageable with the block 94 to -hold the toggle linkage in the shown locked position (FIG. 2). Thus, the spring 1&2 normally holds `and locks the toggle linkage in a position to look the bar 801 at the upper limit of its movement.

A solenoid 104 is mounted on the frame of the m-achine and is provided with a movable armature 106 connected through pivoted Ilink 108 to the central pivot 93 of the toggle linkage described. When solenoid 104 is energized, its armature 106 is drawn to the left, against the action of spring 162, as seen in FIG. 2 to break the toggle and unlock linkage 911;-92 and thus draw locking bar 80 downwardly to its lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 3.

As will be described, deposit of the proper coinage in the slot 8 will result in closing a circuit through solenoid 164 to energize the same and to hold the solenoid energized by means of a holding circuit. With the locking bar `80 in the lowermost position as shown in FIG. 3. the lshoulders y88 iare yall withdrawn from blocking position and the rollers 61 are free -to move forwardly in their slots 58 to a lposition corresponding to the fully opened position of their respective gates 32. Thus, when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 3, a purchaser may withdraw any selected bottle from the cabinet and the tact of withdrawing the same locks `all other gates in closed position, as previously described. yIt is, of course, necessary that the locking bar Si) be returned -to the locking position of FIG. 2, after withdrawal of a selected bottle so that the unauthorized withdrawal of a second bottle, without depositing the purchase price, is prevented.

Forwardly of the locking bar Sti, the fname member slidably supports Ian upright reset plate 110 which is slidably supponted on the fr-ame member 211 by pins 112 and slots 114, similar to the described support for the lock bar 80'. The pins 59 of the gates 32, which extend through the arcuate slots 52 and pivotally support the forward ends of links 54, also extend through generally V-shaped slots 116 in the reset plate 110. With the reset plate in the lowermost position as shown in FIG. 2, the pins 59 from gates 32 extend into the slots 116 approximately at the apex thereof. As shown, the slots 116 are formed with a downwardly and forwardly extending portion 118 having a bearing llange 120 at its upper edge, and a generally downwardly extending portion 122. A tension spring 124- secured to the reset plate 110 and to frame member 1211 urges the reset plate to the lowermost position shown in FIG. 2. The lower end of lreset plate 11)1 is provided with an outwardly turned ange 5126 engageable with the actuating iinger 129 of a reset switch 13d. The switch 130 is of a known and available type wherein engagement of the lange 126 therewith, while moving upwardly, has no effect on the switch but when the ilange 126 again engages the operating linger 128 on its downward movement, the switch is actuated to open the holding circuit previously referred to and thus deenergize solenoid 164.

Due to the shape of the openings 116, opening movement of any gate 32 will :cause its associated pin 51)' to move Iupwardly and `forwardly therewith and to engage the bearing ilange 1211 of its associated slot 116 and thus cam or move the reset plate 110l to its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bottle partially shown in dotted line as being partially withdrawn and its associated gate is, therefore, swung to open position, which causes actuation of the reset plate 111i in the manner just described. After the bottle 6, shown in FIG. 3, is completely withdrawn, its gate 32 returns to closed position and thus permits the reset plate 114i to return lto the position of FIG. 2 whereupon the switch 13@ is actuated and solenoid 104 deenergized fto permit spring 102 to immediately move locking bar '81B to the locking position of FIG. 2. Since it might be possible to manipulate a bottle and its associated gate 32 so as to return the gate suficiently to closed position to release lock blocks 64 before the reset operation described above has time to take place and to prevent the immediate withdrawal of a second bottle under those conditions, the reset plate 110 itself functions 'as a safety feature. The vert-ical portions 122 of the slots 116 are positioned so that upward movement of the plate 110l results in the sides of the portions 122 of the slots embracing all of the stub shafts 50' other than the one moving with the selected gate, and positively prevents opening movement of those gates. It has been found that the provision of the small undulation 136 shown in the vertical portion of 122 of each slot will prevent any manipulation of the gates after withdrawal of a bottle -to permit withdrawal of a second bottle free. Thus, the reset plate must be returned completely to its lowermost position before any other pin 50 can possibly enter the portion 118 of its slot 116 and by that time the solenoid is ideenergi-zed ,and the locking bar 80' has returned to its upper or lower position.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 13 through 15, all of the parts previously described, which are reproduced identically in this form, are identified by the same reference numerals. It is to be noted, however, that the channel-shaped member Sil is xedly secured to the frame member 20 and does not serve as a locking bar but merely serves to hold the parts therebehind in assembled relationship and functions only as a retainer. The reset and locking plate 150 is provided with the slots 116 exactly as described in connection with the previous embodiments and it can thus be seen that as long as the plate 1519 is above its lowermost position, as a result of opening a gate, no other gate can be opened until the rst one is returned to its closed position and the plate 151i returned to its lower position as shown. The lowermost end of the plate 150 is provided with a latch opening 152 into which a latch head 154 projects. The latch head 154 is carried by a pivoted latch element 156 pivotally mounted on a bracket 158 mounted on a frame member 20. The frame member 20 is provided with an enlarged opening 169 adjacent the latch 156 and through which the latter may freely move. The latch 156 includes a downwardly extending nger 162, below the latch pivot 164 and which linger bears against the lowermost end portion of plate 15h but closely adjacent the lower end thereof. A solenoid 166 is mounted on bracket 158 and its movable armature 168 is connected to a slide bar 170, mounted on bracket 15S for sliding movement. The slide bar 170 is provided with a locking pin or abutment 172 thereon and is urged upwardly by tension spring 174. Pivoted latch 156 is likewise urged to rotate in a clockwise direction by a tension spring 176. The head of the latch 156 is so congured that when its nose portion 154 extends into opening 152, the stop or abutment 172 engages the rear edge of the latch head to prevent release of the latch. The spring 174 normally holds the mechanism in the locked condition just described. Since plate 150 is locked in its lower position, none of the gates can be opened, anges block the pins 50.

When the proper coinage is deposited in the slot 3 solenoid 166 is energized to draw slide bar 170 downwardly and thus release the latch 156. The latch does not immediately swing open, however, since its finger 162 bears against the plate 150. However, when a selected gate is swung to open position, it causes plate 159 to move upwardly thus permitting nger 162 to swing inwardly below ange 126 and this action takes place before the lowermost edge of slot 152 reaches the nose 154 of the latch. At this time the spring 176 swings the latch to fully retracted position and the plate 150 can move upwardly Without restriction. After the bottle is withdrawn and its associated gate is returned to closed position, the switch is actuated to deenergize solenoid 166 whereupon spring 174 moves operated bar 17) to the position shown in FIG. 14 and thereby locks the latch 156 and the mechanism remains locked until again released by deposit of the proper coinage.

Referring now to FIG. l2, the circuitry illustrated is applicable to the forms of the invention described in connection with FIGS. l through l1 and also the form shown in FIGS. 13-15. In FIG. 12, the solenoid is identied by numerals 104 and 166, indicating that it could be the solenoid described in either form of the invention.

Numerals 180 and 182 indicate terminals connectable to any suitable source of electrical power and numeral 184 indicates a relay in the operating circuit. Numeral 186 merely indicates a coin tester and changer mechanism, which forms no part of the present invention and is not essential to its operation but is shown here merely because it is conventionally included in machines of this type. When coins are deposited in slot 8 and the coinage is proper, the weight thereof momentarily closes coin switch lSS moving away from Contact 139 to thereby momentarily energize relay coil 19t). As soon as coil 199 is energized, the movable contacts operated thereby and carried by armature 192 are all moved upwardly to open contacts 194 and to close contacts 196 and 198. Upon the closing of contacts M6, a holding circuit is completed whereby the relay coil 190 is held in energized condition even after the momentarily closed coin switch 188 is opened. Upward movement ot the armature 192 also closes contacts w8 and as soon as coin switch 183 is released and reengages contact 159, it completes a circuit through the solenoid to energize the same and thus unlock the mechanism for withdrawal of a bottle.

The reset switch 130 is normally closed but is momentarily opened when the reset bar returns to its lowermost position in the manner previously described. Thus, when reset switch 13) is opened, the relay coil 19t) is deenergized since switch 136 opens the holding circuit and the armature 192 returns to the position shown in FIG. l2 wherein the machine is completely locked up and deposit of further coinage is necessary to permit withdrawal of another bottle.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the same are merely illustrative of the invention but may be embodied in other forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a vending machine: means defining a plurality of adjacent article delivery stations; a movable gate at each delivery station, each gate being normally positioned to extend across the path of movement ot' an article being withdrawn from its associated station whereby such gate is thereby moved in response to such withdrawal; a slide element connected to each gate for movement therewith, said slide elements being slidably movable along substantially parallel paths; a row of separate abutting slidable lock-out blocks arranged to extend across said parallel paths with one block between each adjacent pair of paths; any one of said slide elements being movable along its path to a position between adjacent lock-out blocks to thereby separate the same and lock the remaining blocks in position to prevent movement of any of the other slide elements along their paths; a lock bar extending across all said paths and mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between rst and second positions, an abutment on said lock bar adjacent each of said slide elements, when said bar is in first said position, blocking movement of said slide elements toward said lock-out blocks; and selectively operable release means for moving said lock bar to its second position and move said abutments out of blocking relation to said slide elements.

2. A vending machine as defined in claim l including reset means, movable in response to closing movement of any one of said gates for returning said release means to locking condition.

3. A vending machine as dened in claim 2 wherein said release means comprises a toggle linkage connected to one end of said lock bar; spring means for normally urging said linkage to locked position to hold said lock bar in its first position; and a solenoid operable when energized to unlock said toggle linkage and thereby move said lock bar to its second position; said reset means being operable to deenergize said solenoid.

4. A vending machine as delined in claim 2 wherein said reset means comprises an elongated and longitudinally Slidable plate positioned to extend adjacent a movable portion of each of said gates and having a follower portion engageable thereby whereby movement of any gate to open then closed position causes said plate to slide in one direction then return; and means responsive to said return movement of said plate to return said release means to locking condition.

5. A vending machine as dened in claim 4 wherein said last-named means comprises a normally closed switch, openable momentarily by said return movement; said release means including a solenoid and said switch being operable to deenergize said solenoid.

6. A vending machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said selectively operable means includes a holding circuit for holding said solenoid energized; said switch being in said holding circuit.

7. In a vending machine: means defining a plurality of adjacent article delivery stations; a movable gate member at each delivery station, each gate being normally positioned to extend across the path of movement of an article being withdrawn from its associated station whereby such gate is thereby moved in response to such withdrawal; each of said gates having a projection on a movable portion thereof; said projections being movable along similar paths lying substantially in a common plane; an elongated and longitudinally slidable plate lying substantially in said plane and having slots therethrough into which said projections respectively extend; each of said slots having an edge portion extending obliquely across the longitudinal axis of said plate and obliquely across the path of movement of its associated projection whereby said plate is moved longitudinally in one direction by movement of any one gate toward open position; each of Said slots having another edge portion extending longitudinally of said plate and movable therewith into position to block movement of all of the other of said projections; releasable means for locking all of the said gates against movement; and means responsive to movement of said plate in the other direction, upon closing movement of said one gate, for returning said releasable means to locking condition.

8. A vending machine as dehned in claim 7 wherein Said releasable means includes a slide element connected to each gate, a movable lock bar having means for blocking movement of each of said slide elements, and means for normally holding said lock bar in blocking position.

9. A vending machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said releasable means includes a latch member engageable with said plate to lock the same against sliding movement in said one direction.

l0. In a vending machine: means dening a plurality of adjacent article delivery stations; a movable gate member at each delivery station, each gate being normally positioned to extend across the path of movement of an article being withdrawn from its associated station whereby such gate is thereby moved in response to such withdrawal; each of said gates having a projection on a movable portion thereof; said projections being movable along similar paths lying substantially in a common plane; an elongated and longitudinally slidable plate lying substantially in said plane and having slots therethrough into which said projections respectively extend; each of said slots having an edge portion extending obliquely across the longitudinal axis of said plate and obliquely across the path of movement of its associated projection whereby said plate is moved longitudinally in one direction by movement of any one gate toward open position; each of said slots having another edge portion extending longitudinally of said plate and movable therewith into position to block movement of all of the others of sai-:l projections; a pivoted latch engageable with said plate to lock said plate against movement in said one direction; said latch being arranged to swing to plate releasing position upon initial movement of said plate in said one direction; a lock abutment normally positioned to block plate releasing movement of said latch; selectively Operable means for moving said lock abutment out of latch blocking position; and means responsive to return movement of said plate in the other direction for returning said lock abutment to latch blocking position.

1l. In a vending machine: means delining a plurality of adjacent article delivery stations; a movable gate member at each delivery station, each gate being normally positioned to extend across the path of movement of an article being withdrawn from its associated station whereby such gate is thereby moved in response to such withdrawal; a slide element connected to each gate for movement therewith, said slide elements being slidably movable along substantially parallel paths; a row of abutting slidable lockout blocks arranged to extend across said parallel paths with one block between each adjacent pair of paths; each of said blocks having a cam surface at one end extending obliquely across one of said paths; spring means for each block urging said block to slide in a direction toward said one end; stop means engageable with each block to normally hold the same with said cam surface extending across said one path and the other end thereof clear of the adjacent path; each block being movable against the action of its spring means to position its other end across said adjacent path; any one of said slide elements being movable along its path to displace all of said blocks on one side thereof and to lock all of the blocks on the other side thereof against movement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,425,870 Dixon Aug. 14, 1947 3,029,980 Sturrock et al Apr. 17, 1962 3,043,475 Childers et al July l0, 1962 

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE: MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT ARTICLE DELIVERY STATIONS; A MOVABLE GATE AT EACH DELIVERY STATION, EACH GATE BEING NORMALLY POSITIONED TO EXTEND ACROSS THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF AN ARTICLE BEING WITHDRAWN FROM ITS ASSOCIATED STATION WHEREBY SUCH GATE IS THEREBY MOVED IN RESPONSE TO SUCH WITHDRAWAL; A SLIDE ELEMENT CONNECTED TO EACH GATE FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, SAID SLIDE ELEMENTS BEING SLIDABLY MOVABLE ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL PATHS; A ROW OF SEPARATE ABUTTING SLIDABLE LOCK-OUT BLOCKS ARRANGED TO EXTEND ACROSS SAID PARALLEL PATHS WITH ONE BLOCK BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF PATHS; ANY ONE OF SAID SLIDE ELEMENTS BEING MOVABLE ALONG ITS PATH TO A POSITION BETWEEN ADJACENT LOCK-OUT BLOCKS TO THEREBY SEPARATE THE SAME AND LOCK THE REMAINING BLOCKS IN POSITION TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF ANY OF THE OTHER SLIDE ELEMENTS ALONG THEIR PATHS; A LOCK BAR EXTENDING ACROSS ALL SAID PATHS AND MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL SLIDING MOVEMENT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, AN ABUTMENT ON SAID LOCK BAR ADJACENT EACH OF SAID SLIDE ELEMENTS, WHEN SAID BAR IS IN FIRST SAID POSITION, BLOCKING MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE ELEMENTS TOWARD SAID LOCK-OUT BLOCKS; AND SELECTIVELY OPERABLE RELEASE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID LOCK BAR TO ITS SECOND POSITION AND MOVE SAID ABUTMENTS OUT OF BLOCKING RELATION TO SAID SLIDE ELEMENTS. 